A New Standard in Ribbon Manufacturing
Eliminating solvents at the source
In industrial printing environments, chemical processes are often invisible but their impact is not.Traditional thermal transfer ribbons rely on solvent-based coatings during manufacturing. While effective, these solvents contribute to emissions and can raise concerns regarding both environmental impact and operator safety.
With Solfree® technology, ARMOR‑IIMAK introduces a cleaner alternative. By eliminating 100% of solvents during production, ribbons such as AWR 8 and AWR XL Solfree® reduce impact at the source. Each Solfree® ribbon also generates 365 g less CO₂ emissions compared to standard production processes.
At scale, the impact becomes even more significant. For example, using Solfree® ribbons in a typical application of 6,000 rolls per year can result in up to 2 tons of CO₂ savings, equivalent to a long-haul flight.
A safer solution for operators
For teams working daily with thermal transfer ribbons, safety is essential.Solvent-free manufacturing means fewer chemical residues on the final product, contributing to safer handling conditions.
This supports:
- Reduced exposure to potentially harmful substances
- Safer working environments
- Better compliance with environmental and health regulations
Clean chemistry starts during production but its benefits are directly experienced on the field.
Clean Chemistry Without Compromising Performance
High-quality printing remains the standard
Switching to solvent-free technology does not mean compromising performance. Ribbons such as AWR 8 continue to deliver:
- High-quality barcode printing
- Consistent density and contrast
- Reliable readability for logistics and retail applications
At the same time, innovations like AWR XL Solfree® combine solvent-free manufacturing with eco-design features such as thinner films, further reducing environmental impact.
Sustainable performance in action
Solfree® technology is part of a broader strategy to reduce environmental impact through eco-design. For example:
New generation ribbons reduce plastic usage by up to 12% thanks to thinner PET films Ultra-thin designs like AWR XL go even further, with 26% less plastic waste compared to standard ribbons.
These improvements demonstrate that performance and sustainability can evolve together.
Supporting Responsible and Efficient Operations
Benefits across the value chain
Adopting solvent-free ribbons delivers tangible advantages:
- Safer handling: no solvent-related exposure during use
- Lower CO₂ emissions: measurable reductions per ribbon and at scale
- Reduced plastic usage: thinner designs require fewer raw materials
- Regulatory alignment: supports CSR and sustainability commitments
- Operational reliability: consistent performance without process change
Clean innovation made simple
One of the strengths of Solfree® technology is its simplicity.
It requires no modification to printers, workflows, or operator habits. Businesses can adopt safer and cleaner solutions without disrupting existing operations.
Improving safety and reducing environmental impact in printing starts at the manufacturing level.
By eliminating solvents and optimizing material design, Solfree® technology provides a measurable reduction in CO₂ emissions and resource consumption without compromising performance.
With solutions like AWR 8 and AWR XL Solfree®, clean chemistry becomes a practical and effective lever for more sustainable and responsible labeling operations.
